Power transmission system for well drilling and the like



March 8, 1938. N. WILKINSON 2,110,142

POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR WELL DRILLING AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 29, 1933 /06 I02 'I 5 T 94 Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR WELL DRILLING AND THE LIKE Original application June 29, 1933, Serial No. 678,235. Divided and this application March 9, 1935, Serial No. 10,155

23 Claim.

This invention relates to power transmission systems and control therefor, and the system is of particularly advantageous use in connection with the several operations required in an oil well drilling rig, such as the operations of rotating and hoisting a rotary drill and the pumping of mud laden fluid for circulation in the drill hole during the operation of the drill.

The present application is a continuation in part of applicants copending application Serial No. 512,899, filed February 2, 1931, patented March 12, 1935, No. 1,994,376, and it is a division of applicants copending application Serial No. 678,235, filed June 29, 1933, patented January 7, 1936, No. 2,026,600.

In a system of this general character involving a plurality of diiferent operations which are preferably performed under different speed and torque conditions, it is desirable to utilize electrical motors as the several work motors and to supply the same from separate sources .of supply, such as electrical generators, each of which may be operated at an economical speed, and the speed of the several motors may be controlled by varying the voltage of the generators supplying the particular motors. It is also desirable, in the interest of flexibility and power economy and assurance against shutdown of essential operations, to have the generators supplying the several motors capable of being driven from different prime movers or sources of power, and to provide facilities for connecting several of the generators to supply one or more of the motors when the power requirements of the motor or the operating economy of the system are such as will be best served through such connections.

A further object is the provision of an electric power transmission system in which engines, such as internal combustion engines, are used as prime movers, and further, in which close regulation of the speed of the engines is not essential. A more specific object is the provision of such a system in which two engines are used each one automatically carrying its proportion of the total load.

A further object is the provision of an improved power transmission system in which a plurality of prime movers are capable of driving a plurality of generators which in turn are capable of supplying energy to a plurality of electric motors, and wherein provisions are available for supplying each of several motors from its own individual genera-tor independently of whether a single one or a plurality of the prime movers are in operation.

Tn connection with well drilling apparatus of the type in which water or mud is pumped into the drill hole, it is an object to provide a system of power transmission in which either the pump motor or the drill motor may be started, stopped and otherwise controlled, without affecting the other motor.

one.

Still another object is the provision of a system useful in well drilling operations and in which one or more of a plurality of electric motors are used to selectively drive the hoisting, pumping, and drilling mechanism, the energy for the motors being selectively furnished byone or more of a plurality of engine driven generators which may be of the same capacities.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a system useful in well drilling operations and wherein one or more of a plurality of electric motors are used to selectively drive the hoisting, pumping, and drilling mechanism, the energy for the motors being supplied during certain operations from all of a plurality of engine driven generators which are connected in series-parallel and supplied during other operations from parallel connected pairs of the generators.

A further object is to provide a well drilling system of the above character with a plurality oi. engine driven generators each having a rheostat for controlling the excitation of the field winding thereof, and more specifically the provision of devices for rendering all of said rheostats simultaneously operable during certain operations and for rendering said rheostats operable in pairs during other operations.

Other objects will appear hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds.

Various novel features of the invention will appear from this specification and the accompanying drawing showing an embodiment of the invention and all oi. these features are intended to be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a. diagrammatic showing of an embodiment of the invention with particular relation to the electrical control featuresthereofs Figure 2 is a more or less diagrammatic-elevation of mechanical features of one type of oil welldrilling rig in connection with tion may be used.

Figures 3 to '7 inclusive are diagrammatic showings of various electrical power connections which may be obtained with the system shown in Figure 1. a

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, a prime mover I is arranged to drive a pair of generators 2 and 3 which are diagrammatically indicated as of equal capacity, and another prime mover 4 is arranged to drive a pair of generators Sand 6 which are diagrammatically indicated as of equal capacity, the four generators (2, 3, 5, and 6) being contemplated in the embodiment ofthe invention specifically disclosed, as being of substantially the same rating or capacity. Genwhich the invenerators 2 and 5 are shown connected in series.

- noting that the outer terminals of these generators are connected to conductors I28 and I22 and that the intermediate terminals are connected to common conductor I2I. Generators 3 and 6 are shown connected in series, noting that the outer terminals of these generators are connected to conductors I23 and I24 and that the intermediate terminals are connected to common conductor I2I. Generators 2 and 5 are provided with series differential field windings H3 and H4 and separately excited field windings 4I and 44, respectively. Generators 3 and 6 are provided with differential series field windings I42 and I43 and separately excited field windings 64 and 6I, respectively. The generators 2, 3 may, if desired, also be provided with self excited shunt windings I48, I44, respectively, and the generators 5, 6'may also be provided with corresponding-windings I H, I45, respectively. The separately excited field windings and the self excited field windings are normally cumulative. The self excited winding of each generator is preferably so proportioned that its ampere turns are always less than the air-gap ampere turns, that is, the resistance of this winding is such that the plotted curve (current in self excited winding as abscissa and terminal voltage as ordinate) never intersects the voltage characteristic curve of the generator. The polarity and magnitude of generator voltages are therefore determined by the separately excited windings. The main purpose of the series differential field windings and the self excited field windings, where provided, is to accentuate the drooping characteristic of the generators so ,-.as to prevent or inhibit stalling oi a prime mover in event one prime moveris temporarily unable to develop as much torque as the otherprime mover. The eifect of. preventing stalling of an imperfectly operating prime mover is augmented by the automatic weakening of the self excited field'windl'ngs of the generators connected thereto upon occurrence of the reduction in speedof the faulty prime mover. Electromagnetic contactors I35 and I36 are provided to connect series connected generators 2 and 5 in parallel with seriesv connected generators 3 and 6.

Pump motors 26 and 28 may be selectively con- 7 nected to load conductors 23, 25 by means of switches 21 and 28, respectively. An electromag- "load relay7 22.

netic contactor." is operable toconnect load conductor 25 with the blade of switch 2I,'noting that load conductor 23 is permanently connec to the-blade of switch 28 through the coil of over- By means of hand operated switches 28 and 2|, the load conductors 23 and 25 may be selectively connected either to con-'- through conductor I31 to bus 34, thereby causing contactor I35 to close.

ductors I8 and I2I, or conductors I6 and I22, or toconductors I8 and I8.

The drilling or hoisting motor 38 may be selectively connected to conductors I25 and I2I, or I26 and I2I, or to conductors I25 and I26 by means ofhand operated switches 3I and 32.

Separately excited field windings H, 44, 64, and BI are controlled by rheostats 31, 38, 58, and 51, respectively. These rheostats are all energized from bus 34, 35 through conductors I58 and I 5| when overload relays 22 and 69 are in their normally closed positions. An overload on either motor 38 or the pumping motors 26 or 28 will cause the respective overload relays 69 or 22 to operate to deenergize all of the separately excited generator field windings. Rheostats 31 and 38 are mechanically connected together by releasable clutch III and rheostats 51 and 58 are mechanically connected together by releasable clutch II2. An additional releasable clutch I52 is arranged between rheostats 38 and 51 so that all four rheostats may be simultaneously operated or, if clutches III and H2 are disconnected, so that rheostats 38 and 51 may be operated simultaneously. An additional releasable clutch I53 is arranged between rheostats 31 and 58, so that with clutches III and H2 disconnected, rheostats 31 and 58 may be simultaneously operated. The utility of this arrangement will be better understood in connection with the description of the operation of the generators during certain operations.

Master controller C is a double pole, double throw switch having blades I3I and I32. When these blades are thrown to their left hand position, a circuit is established from bus 35 through conductor I38, conductor 88, blade I3I, conductor I33, operating coil of contactor I35,

7 Another circuit is also established from bus 35 through conductor I38, conductor 88, switch-blade I32, conductor I34, operating coil of contactor I36, and through conductor I31 to bus 34. The closure of contactors I35 and I36 connects the generators in seriesparallel. When the blades of the master controller C are moved to their right hand position, a control circuit is established from bus 35 through conductor I38, conductor 88, switch blade I3I, conductor 18, the operating coil of contactor 24 to bus 84 thereby causing contactor 24 to close. Another circuit is also established from bus 35 through conductor I38, conductor 88, switch blade I32, conductor I34, operating coil of contactor I36, through conductor I31 to bus 34. The closure of contactors I36 and 24 connects generators 2, 5 and '3, 6 to motor 26 (or 28) and motor 38, respectively.

Inasmuch as motors 26, 28, and 38, where the system is used for operating an oil well drilling rig, are used in close proidmity to explosive gases it is desirable that these motors be totally enclosed, and for this reason each of these motors is provided with a forced draft ventilating system. For example, motor 26 is provided with a blower motor I55 which is connected across the field winding 54 and field control rheostat I56. Pump motor 28 is provided with a blower motor I51 which is connected across field winding 5I and field control rheostat I58. Motor 38 is provided with a blower motor I58 which is connected across field winding '18. It is to be note that by connecting these ventilating motors acro the respective field windings of the motors to 2,110,142 cooled that considerable saving is obtained. in

I less diagrammatic form an oil well drilling rig of the rotary type with which the invention may be utilized. It is to be understood that the particular form of mechanical drilling rig is shown only by way of illustration so that one way in which applicant's invention may be utilized may be better understood. The drilling rig here shown comprises a hollow drill 86 around which i is disposed a casing 81 which is sunk around the drill as the drilling proceeds. The drill 86 may be rotated in any suitable manner by means of a gear 88 driven by a bevel pinion 68 froma shaft 90. The shaft 30 may be connected to a driving chain 92 by means of a clutch 8I operable by a lever 95. The driving ,chain 62 is in operative relation to a shaft 63 which is in turn driven by, a driving chain 94 from the motor 86 which.

corresponds to the motor 30 in Fig. l. A shaft is provided which carries fast thereon a winding drum 91. .The shaft 96 may be connected toa driving chain I by means oi a clutch 68 operable by a clutch lever 38. A brake IOI is provided for the drum 81, which brake is operable by means of a brake lever I02.

The winding drum 8! is adapted to receive a cable I03 which runs to the top of a derrick I04 and is passed over suitable pulley blocks or sheaves at the top or the derrick and also over a sheave operatively related to the drill rod 86,

so that the Winding drum 6'! may be used to hoist and lower the drill rod 86, or other desired parts. The drill rod is here shown as connected by means of a flexible hose I to a pipe I06, in turn connected to a pair of pumps I01, I08 of any suitable form. The. pumps are here shown as driven respectively by the motors 26, 28 which correspond to those of the same number in Fig. 1.

The operation of the system will be best understood by a consideration of the various mechanicalset-ups and electrical circuits that may be secured with the system hereinbeiore described.

If it is desired to hoist the drill rod 66 or'any other part attached to the hoisting cable Ill, at full speed, the field rhecstats should be moved to such a position that the clutches III, H2 and I52 may be moved to their engaging positions. with the rhecstats allsimultaneously operable the voltages of the generators will be substantially equal which is a prerequisite to the operation of these generators in parallel. The switch.

3I is moved to its upper position and the switch 32 is moved to its lower position thereby connecting motor 30 to conductors I26 and I26. The master controller C may then be moved to its left-hand position thereby connecting generators 2, 3, 5, and 6 in series-parallel as schematically shown in Figure 3. The field rhecstats 31, 36, 51, and 58, are then moved in one direction or the other from their natural position to simultaneously raise the voltage of all generators and thereby cause motor 38 to start and run in one direction or the other. 4

With the hoisting set-up shown in Figure 3 above described. the motor 30 may be of 400 H.

that since each generator may, for example, be of 150 k. w. rating that 600 k. w. will be available for hoisting. The ratings of the generators and motors are merely cited to more clearly set forth the utility of the inventionand are not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

If a break down occurs on either one of the prime mover units, hoisting at half speed may be obtained by connecting'motor 30 to the parallel connected generators of the remaining unit by means of switches 3I and 32 as schematically shown in Figure 4, noting that with this connection, 300 k. w. of generating capacity will be available for operating motor 30 at about half speed.

If it is desired to rotate the drill 86 and pump liquid down through the drill at the same time, the clutch 98 of Figure 2 is disengaged and the clutch SI is engaged so as to connect the driving shaft 90 to the shaft 93 for rotating the 'drill. The switch 3| is moved to its upper position and the switch 32 is moved to its lower position. If it is desired to use both pumps I01 and I08, both switches 21 and 29 are closed thereby connecting motors 26 and 28 to the load conductors 23 and 26, it being noted, however, that adequate pumping capacity may be obtained by using either one of the pumping units; however, in some instances it is desirable to operate the other pumping unit at reduced output to mix the liquid which is pumped into the casing of the well. Switches 20 and 2| are also moved totheir upper and lower positions, respectively, to connect generators 2 and 5 to one or both of the pumping motors 26 and 28. The master switch C is moved to its right hand position, thereby energizing the operating coils of contaetors I36 and 24, noting that, since contactor I is not energized in this position, generators 2 and 5 will not be connected in parallel with generators 3 and 6. The circuit connections for obtaining the above described set-up are schematically shown in Figure 5. Inasmuch as generators 2 and 5 are not electrically connected with generators 3 and 6 it is desirable that field rhecstats 31 and 38 be connected together by means of clutch I I I and that rhecstats 61 and 58 be connected together by clutch I I2, noting that for this set-up the clutches I 62 and I63 should be disengaged so that the above described pairs of rhecstats may be independently operable to vary the speed of the pumping motors or the speed of the drilling motor 30 independently.

It will be evident that with the set-up of Figure 5 the motor 30 may be operated at full speed for the drilling operation (which usually requires only about 100 H. P.), and since motor 30 is fed from generators 3 and 6 in series, it is evident that one pumping unit may be operated also at full speed noting that if the other pumping unit is also used at the same time for mixing liquid, it needs only to operate at a fraction of its rated capacity. For the above described drilling and pumping operation, the engines I and 4 may have their governors set to operate at say 8503. P. M. If necessary, the full rated capacity of generator 3, and 6, namely, 300 k. w., may be used to energize motor 30 for drilling operations, yet such s rarely necessary. It will be obvious that the power output of the generators in the above example may be widely varied to meet the requirements of the conditions by adjustment of the rhecstats 31. 38 and 51, 56.

If a break down occurs on one of the prime mover units, the drilling and pumping operainains in its right hand position as described in connection with the set-up of Figure 5. All of the rheostat clutches (I I I, H2, I62, and I53) are moved to disengaged position so that only the rheostats associatedwith the operative generators may be moved from their neutral positions to separately control the voltage of the respective generators. It will thus be seen that 150 k. w. will be available for pumping and that 150 k. w. will be also available for drilling at slightly less than full speed by weakening the field of motor 38 by means of normally shunted resistor 160.

It sometimes occurs-that it is desirable to hoist and pump at the same time, noting that this condition is generally known as the fishing set-up. Referring now to Figure 7 with this setup, hoisting operations may be performed, as in case a drill rod should break, and at the same time one of the pumps may be used. This fishing set-up may besecured with a pump motor fed from generators 2 and 3 in parallel and the motor 30 fedfromgenerators 5 and 6 inparallel, or vice versa. Obviously, the fishing operation may be conducted with the set-up shown in Fig. 5, if desired. The operations for securing the set-ups shown in Fig. '7 will first be described. The clutch 98 is engaged, and if it is desired to hoist only, the clutch 9| is disengaged. The switches 3| and 32 are both moved to theirlower position and switches 20 and 2| are both moved to their upper positions. moved to its left hand position therebycausing closure of contactors I35 and I36. If it is desired to operate either one or both of pump motors 26 and 28, it is necessary to manually close switch 85 and one or both of switches 21 or '29. If for any reason it is desirable to rotate the drill as it is being hoisted or lowered with, for example, the fishing set-up of Figure 7, the clutch 9| may be moved into engagement. I

It will be evident from the description of the various set-ups that, if desired, only one engine and one set of generators need be used for the first'few thousand feet of drilling (the set being say as in Fig. 6) and that subsequently, or at any desired time, more than one engine and set of generators may be used for drilling (the setup being say as in Fig. 5). It is of course obvious that the same applies at any stage of the drilling, since, if one engine fails, operations may be carried on with the other engine but with the driving motors operating at half speed. Full torque is however available whether the motors are running at full speed or half speed. Moreover to secure this full torque under either condition of operation, it is unnecessary to alter the driving or gear ratio as between the driving motors and the mechanical drill rigging.

What has been stated above also applies with regard to the full speed and half speed hoisting set-ups of Figs. 3 and 4, respectively.

The exciter 33 being separately driven by an auxiliary engine (not shown) makes possible the use of said exciter for various purposes, such as The master switch is for lighting the drill site, without necessity or having the main engines I, 4, running, or evenbefore said main engines are available at all, as while the drilling rig and drive are being erected.

It will be apparent that with the system and control apparatus therefor-disclosed herein, a

high degree of reliability and flexibility is provided in the operation ofthe system, insuring that the several independent desired operations I may be proceeded with in an economical manner, even though any one of the prime movers should be out of commission; and under allot these conditions, the several motors are independently controllable through their supply generator' or generators.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of con-.

struction shown and'described for obvious modifications may occur to persons skilled in the art. It is claimed and desired to"secur,e by letters Patent: g

1. In a power transmission system, two pairs of generators, a pair of prime movers each arranged to drive one generator of,each of said pairs oi. generators, a motor, means for corinecting one of said pairs of generators in series to said motor and for causing operation thereof at a speed independent of the speed of operation of said prime movers or for connecting the gensaid motor to said conductors, an electromagnet 1 ically operable contactor for connecting a terminal of one of said generators to one of said conductors, a second electromagnetically operable contactor for connecting a terminal of the other of said generators to said one of said conductors,

means whereby the other terminals of said generators may be connected together, means for connecting said other of said conductors with said other terminals of said generators, a second motor,-means including an electromagnetically. operable contactor for connecting said second motor to one of said generators, and means including a control switch having one position in which the operating winding of said last named contactor and the operating winding of one of the two first named contactors is energized and another position in which only the operating winding of the other of said first two named contactors is energized.

3. In combination, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, each pair of generators being provided with a neutral and two outside terminals, three conductors corresponding respectively to said terminals, a motor, means whereby said motor may be selectively connected to any pair of said three conductors, and means for selectively connecting said three conductors to the outside and neutral terminals respectively of either of said pairs of generators.

4. In combination, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, each pair of generators being provided with a neutral and two outside terminals, three conductors corresponding respectively to said terminals, a motor, means whereby said motor may be connected to any pair of said three conductors, means for selectively connecting said three conductors to the outside and neutral terminals respectively of either one or the other oi. said pairs of generators, a second motor, and means for selectively connecting said second motor to any pair of the terminals of said first named pair oi generators.

5. In combination, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, each pair of generators being provided with a neutral and two outside terminals, three conductors corresponding respectively to said terminals, switching means for selectively connecting said three conductors to the terminals of one pair of said generators or to the terminals of the other pair of said generators, a motor, a pair of switches independently operable to selectively connect said motor to any pair of said three conductors, a second motor, a second pair of switches independently operable to selectively connect said second motor to any pair of the terminals of said first mentioned pair of generators.

6. A power transmission system, comprising an electric motor, a second electric motor, each of said motors having a separately excited field winding, motor driven ventilating fans arranged to circulate air through said motors, the motors of said blowers being connected across said separately excited field windings respectively, a pair of generators, means for driving said generators, and means operable to selectively connect said main motors to said' generators respectively and to render said main motors operative at speeds independent of the speed of operation of said generators.

7. In combination, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, a pair of independent internal combustion engines, each of said engines being arranged to drive one of the generators of each of said pairs of generators, each of said generators having a separately excited field winding, a pair of motors, means including conductors and selectively operable to connect one of said motors across either one or both of said generators of one of said pairs and to selectively connect the other of said motors across either one or both of said generators of the other of said pairs, and an exciter arranged to supply excitation to said field windings. f

8. In combination, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, a pair of prime movers,,

each of said prime movers driving a generator of each of said pairs, a motor, and means for selectively establishing connections for energizing said motor from one or both of said generators of said first pair or from one or both of said generators of said other pair, said means comprising manually operable switches for partially and selectively establishing said connections and electromagnetically operated contactors for completing, the desired circuits through the selected connections.

9; A power transmission system, comprising a motor, a second motor, a pair of generators connectible in series; another pair oi generators connectible in series, two engines each serving as a common driving means for a generator of each of said pairs, and means selectively operable to either connect both pairs of said generators in series-parallel to said second motor or to connect the generators of one of said pairs in series to said first motor and to connect the generators of said another pair in series to said second motor and to provide for the operation of either motor at difierent speeds independent of the speed of operation of said engines.

10. A power transmission system, comprising an electric motor, a pair of generators connectdriven by either one of said prime movers in parallel to said motor and to render said motor operative at difierent speeds independent of the speed of operation of said prime movers.

11. A power transmission system,'comprising a motor, a pair of generators connectible in series, another pair of generators connectible in series, said generators having their main field windings excited from a separate source of energy, a pair of independent internal combustion engines each arranged to drive one of said first mentioned generators and one of said second mentioned generators, and means including selectively operable switches for connecting the respective generators driven by each of said engines in parallel and said two pairs of generators in series-parallel and to connect said motor to the aforesaid parallel and series-parallel connected generators and for connecting either one or both of the generators of one of said pairs to said motor, and for rendering saidmotor operative at speeds independent of the speed of operation of said engines.

' 12. A powertransmission system, comprising an electric motor, a second motor, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, each of said generators having a separately excited field winding and individual rheostats arranged to control the excitation of said windings, prime movers arranged to drive said generators, switching means including conductors and operable to selectively connect said pairs of generators in seriesparallel to one of said motors or to connect two of said generators to one of said motors and the other two generators to the other of said motors, and means for either connecting all of said rheostats together so as to be operable simultaneously while said switching means connects all said generators in series-parallel or connecting said rheostats in pairs so that each pair is operable simultaneously and independently while said switching means connects two of said generators to said first motor and. connects the other two of said generators to said second motor, said motors being operative at speeds independent of the speed of operation of said prime movers through suitable adjustment of said individual rheostats.

13. A power transmission system, comprising an electric motor, a second motor, a pair of generators connectible in series, a second pair of generators connectible in series, each of said generators having a separately excited field winding and individual rheostats'arranged to control the excitation of said windings, prime movers arranged to drive said generators, means operable to selectively connect said pairs of generators in series-parallel to said first mentioned motor or to connect two of said generators in parallel to said second motor and to connect the other two of said generators in parallel to said first motor, and means for either connecting all of said rheostats together so as to be operable simultaneously while said first means connects all said generators in series-parallel or connecting said rheostats in pairs so that each pair is operable simultaneously and independently while said first means connects two ofv said generators in parallel to said first motor and connects the other two or said generators in parallel to said second motor, said motors being operative. at speeds independent of the speed of operation of said prime movers through suitable adjustment of said individual rheostats.

14. A power transmission system, comprising a ,motor, a plurality of engines, means for converting the power of said engines and utilising the converted power for driving, said motor, said converting means comprising a pair of electrical generators arranged in driven relation to each of said engines, means for connecting one or both of the generators driven by each engine or a generator driven by one engine connected to a generator driven by another engine in power supplying relation to said motor, and control means for providing variation in the speed of operation of said motor independently of the speed of said engines through adjustment either individually or collectively of the voltages of a plurality of said generators connected in supply relation to said motor.

15. A power transmission system, comprising a pair of generators, a prime mover for driving said generators, a motor, a second motor, a second pair of generators of substantially the same capacities as the generators of said first pair, a prime mover for driving said second pair of generators, a source of separate field excitation for said generators, means for connecting said first motor to either or both of the generators of one of said pairs and for causing operation of said first motor-at a speed independent of the speed of operation of said prime movers, and means for connecting either said first motor or said second motor to eitheror both of the generators of said other pair and for causing operation of said second motor at a speed independentmf the speed of operation of said prime movers.

16. A power transmission system, comprising an electric motor, a second electric motor, a pin rality of generators, a plurality of prime movers, means operable to connect one of said generators to supply energy to said first mentioned motor and to connect another of said generators to supply energy to said second mentioned motor, and means for insuring selectively that one prime mover may drive one of said generators to supply energy to one of said motors and another of said prime movers may drive another of said generators to supply energy to the other of said motors,

or that one prime mover may simultaneously drive one generator to supply one of said motors and another generator to supply said other motor, and means operative to control the energy supplied by said generators to said motors to insure operation of said motors at speeds independent of the speed of operation of said prime movers.

17. A power transmission system, comprising a plurality of prime movers, means for converting the power of said prime movers and utilizing the converted power, said converting means comprising a plurality of separately excited electrical generators arranged to be driven by said prime movers, an electrical motor, a second electrical motor, and means for providing selectively for the operation of said first motor through energy supplied by a plurality of said generators driven selectively by one or by a plurality of said prime movers or the operation of each'oi said motors through energy supplied by an individual generator while both said generators are driven by anionic ing the speed oi. operation of each said motor independent of the speed of the other said motor combustion engines each arranged to drive one of said first mentioned pair of generators and one of said second mentioned pair of generators, and means including selectively operable switches for connecting the respective generators driven by each of said engines in series-parallel and to connect said first motor to the aforesaid seriesparallel connected generators and for connecting either generator of one of said pairs of generators tosaid first motor and either generator of the other pair of generators to said second motor to thereby insure operation of both of said motors supplied by the generators driven by either engine, and means for rendering said motors operative at different speeds independent of the speed of operation of said engines.

19. A power'transmission system, comprising a plurality of electric motors, a plurality of electric generators, a plurality of prime movers, and

v means for providing selectively for operation of one of said motors through energy supplied by one or by a plurality of said generators with the latter driven selectively by one or by a plurality of said prime movers, or for operation oi! a plurality of said motors simultaneously each through energy supplied by individual ones of said generators and with each of said generators driven by an individual one of said prime movers, and means for varying the speed of operation of said motors independently of the speed of the generator or generators supplying said motors and the prime mover or prime movers driving said generator or generators.

20. A'power transmission system, comprising a source of mechanical power including a plurality of prime movers, means for converting the power of said prime movers and utilizing the converted power, said converting means comprising a plurality of electrical generators, and a plurality of electrical motors connectible to said generators, means for providing for operation of one of said motors through energy supplied selectively by one or by a plurality of saidgenerators driven selectively by one or by a plurality of said prime movers, and means for varying the speed of operation of said motors independently of the speed of operation of a generator supplying the same and a prime mover driving said generator.

21. A power transmission system, comprising a pluralityoi' prime movers, a plurality of electric generators, a pair of electrical motors connectible to said generators, means for providing selectively for operation of either one of said motors alone by energy supplied selectively by a single one of said generators driven by a single one of said prime movers or by a plurality of the generators driven selectively by a single one or by a plurality of said prime movers or operation of both of said motors simultaneously by energy supplied selectively by a plurality of the generators driven by a single prime mover or by a plurality of generators driven by a plurality of said prime movers,

and means for varying the speed of operation of said motors independently of the speed of operation of the prime mover or prime movers driving either one of said prime movers,'and tor varythe generator orgenerators'supp ying the energy to said motor or motors.

22. A power transmission system comprising a pair of prime movers, a plurality of electric generators, an electrical motor connectible to 'said generators, means for providing for operation of said motor through energy supplied selectively by a single one of said generators driven by a single Prime mover or by a plurality of the generators driven selectively by a single one or by bothoi said prime movers for varying the speed of operation of said motor independently of the speed of operation of the prime mover or prime movers driving the generator or generators supplying energy to said motor.

23, A power transmission system, comprising a plurality oi prime movers, a plurality of electric generators, a pair 01 electric motors connectible 4 independently of 7 to said generators, means for providing sel tively for operation of both of said motors simultaneously each through energy supplied by an individual generator with one said generator driven by one prime mover and another said generator driven by a second prime mover or for operation of one 01' said motors through energy supplied selectively by a plurality of said generators driven by a single one 01' said prime movers or by a plurality oi the generators driven by ,a plurality of the prime movers, and means for varying the speed 01 operation of said motors prime mover or prime movers driving the geherator or generators simplying energy to said motor or motors.

NATHAN WILKINSON.

the speed of operation oi the V 

